An NGO, Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) and some Civil Society Groups yesterday expressed determination to investigate the alleged looting and vandalism of Bayelsa Vocational Training Centre.
The President of IWC, Mrs Rosemary Naingba told newsmen in Yenagoa that items worth billions of Naira were removed from the centre.
The incident occurred between February 14 and 16 at the centre in Boro town in Kaima, Kolokuma/Opokuma council area.
The centre, built and equipped by the Presidential Amnesty Programme, was designed to train unskilled repentant militants and provide them with a wide range of training.
“The roof of the building was removed along with the bedding and all plumbing materials in the 60-bed facility.
“The entrepreneurship starter packs, welding machines, refrigerators, tailoring and fashion designing facilities as well as generators were among the items carted away in a broad day light.
“Other items vandalised and looted are the state-of-art training equipment for plumbing, catering, fashion designing, building and interlocking stones making, shoe and leather work, carpentry and joinery, among others,” she said.
The IWC president said that thorough investigation was necessary in order to bring all guilty to book.
Naingba, who described the act as “rude shock”, said the IWC intended to collaborate with other well meaning Ijaw organisations for the investigation.
“The leadership of IWC worldwide, Ijaw Youth Council, who visited the centre was disappointed over the extent of looting and damage done. We condemn the act in totality.
“However, rather than apportioning blames, we intend to collaborate with other well meaning Ijaw organisations and civil society groups to investigate before holding further discussions.
“We cannot continue to cry only foul, while the main perpetrators walk the streets freely.
“We call on all residents to be calm and sheath-their swords, because this is a time to build and not to destroy. We must continue to be strengthened by one another for the development of the Niget Delta region.”